Oregon’s Affordable Housing and Community Development Digest

Oregon ON News
Mayoral Forum a Success, Join Commissioners Forum – Jan 23
Advertise in the Oregon ON 2012 Member Directory
Thank You Renewing Members, Welcome Oral Health Outreach!
2012 LEAD ON Participants Announced

Awards
Human Solutions Wins National Audrey Nelson Award
Downtown Springfield Wins Awards
Forbes Names Terri Ludwig Top Social Entrepreneur

Member Events
Bienestar Holiday Sale – Now
JOIN Keys to Hope Campaign – Give by Dec 31
Mult County-City of Gresham Availability of Funds Workshop – Jan 4
Fair Housing Public Workshops – Jan 5 & Jan 9
NP Evening Event with Patrick Bresette -  January 11, 2012
REACH Up Close and Personal- Jan 5 and Feb 2
Innovative Changes Upcoming Financial Education- Feb
Housing Partnership Workgroup – March 15

Member News
Hacienda Announces Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Network Partnership
Homeowners Get Extra Support from Wells Fargo, Hacienda
IHI to Redevelop Family Housing in Albany
Interview with Innovative Change$’ New Director, Nancy Yuill
CCC’s New Old Town Recovery Center Opens
Habitat OR Welcomes New Affiliate Director Bethany Hansen
HUD Awards $19.2M to Over 100 Homeless Programs in OR
NAYA Gala Most Successful Event to Date!
Las Posadas to Assist More than 700 Low-Income Children
St. Joseph Shelter Rehabilitation is Moving Forward!
Bienestar’s Newest Project, Juniper Gardens, is Underway
REACH Fabulous Holiday Party, LEAD ON Participants
Home Forward Launches New Website
NSP 3 Homebuyer: Home for the Holidays
PCRI Kids Say, “Thanks for Our New Bikes, Res Services!
John Epstein Promoted to Wells Fargo Executive Vice Prez
New Website for Metro Affordable Housing
ROSE to Open Bellrose Station
Portland Mercado Project Makes Giant Leap in Forming Co-op
Three Generous Awards by Wells Fargo
“Kill A Watt” Devices Allow Residents to Check Home Energy Use
Progress on the Rich  Hotel from IHI

Member Media Coverage
Glisan Commons Project Moves through Design Review
Habitat for Humanity Building Greener Homes
Rotary Club Coat Donations Warm Winter Blues
PCRI Highligted in Skanner, Fine Homebuilding, EcoHome Mag!
Community Vision Homeowner Featured in Gresham Outlook
Lots of Great Coverage of NHA’s Oakridge Park
Habitat for Humanity Building Homes in North Portland
OCF gives $7.7M to Oregon Nonprofits – Habitat, NHA
Umpqua Bank Creates Commercial Real Estate Division

Portland Metro News
New Affordable Health Clinics for Low-Income Families
Union Station Housing Development to Wrap up Next Year
Cedar Sinai Park Disability Housing Awarded $2M
Number of Homeless Portland Families up 29%
FHLBank of Seattle Honors West Coast Bank of Lake Oswego

Statewide News
FHLBank Cooperative to Fund 189 Units of Affordable Housing
2012 Consolidated Funding Cycle Approaches

Funding and Award Opportunities
Nominations for Community Reinvestment Awards – Jan 6
Housing Counseling and Outreach Services Supported – Jan 12
Nominate Financial Institutions Helping Small Business – Jan 13
HUD Offers Housing Counseling Funds – Jan 12
Children’s Theatre Projects Supported – Jan 13
Equity Programs for Women and Girls Funded – Jan 15
Grants Encourage Youth in Environmental Stewardship – Jan 15
Section 202 Demonstration Pre-Development Grants- Jan 18
CDFI Fund Accepting Applications – Jan 18
Small Grants for Urban Water Quality Restoration – Jan 23
Funds to Preserve, Maintain Native American Languages – Jan 31
American Academy of Pediatrics Funds Child Health Care – Jan 31
HUD Healthy Housing Hazard Control Funding – Jan 31
Library-Based Literacy Programs Recognized – Feb 6
Nominate an Advocate for NLIHC Resident Organizing Award – Feb 10
Muzak Heart & Soul Grants for Music Education – Feb 17
Petra Foundation Fellowships for Grassroots Leaders – Feb 20
Public Welfare Foundation Supports Social Change – March 26
Norman Foundation Supports Social Justice Efforts – Rolling

Reports
Rural Affordable Housing Issues Related to Prisoner Reentry
Class Divide Growing Along Neighborhood Lines
NLCHP Releases Report on Criminalization of Homelessness

One Fun Thing

Who Says Strategic Planners Have No Sense of Humor?

 

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Oregon ON News

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Mayoral Forum a Success, Join Commissioners Forum – Jan 23 - top

 

Six candidates and over 180 practitioners, partners and allies of the affordable housing and homeless services communities joined Oregon ON, JOIN, Street Roots and 211info at our Mayoral Forum on December 6. To see photos of the event, please check out our FaceBook page.

 

Please click the image at right to read Candidate’s written responses to  seven questions about housing and homeless services. >

Please join us on January 23 for our City Commissioners’ Forum on Housing. Click here to learn more.

 

 

 

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Advertise in the Oregon ON 2012 Member Directory - top

 

There is still time to purchase an ad in our 2012 Member Directory and get your organization’s name in front of hundreds of the most active affordable housing and community development practitioners in Oregon.

This year our Directory will be read by more people than ever, as we are planning on printing and mailing copies to elected officials and industry partners, as well as our 200+ members.

Ads are affordable and start at $50. You do not have to be a member to purchase an ad. Click here to see ad rates and info. Contact Orion to purchase an ad or learn more: 503-223-4041/email.

 

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Thank You Renewing Members, Welcome Oral Health Outreach! - top

 

Thank you to renewing members Innovative Change$, Kay Sohl, Debbie Aiona, Catholic Charities/Caritas Housing, Coin Meter, Portland Housing Bureau, and Community Development Corporation of Lincoln County.

Also, a warm welcome to our newest member, Oral Health Outreach!

Oral Health Outreach, LLC (OHO)  has developed a new delivery model for dental services and treatment, particularly to underserved seniors and  children who are chronically denied access to quality oral health care due to mobility constraints, economic conditions or both.

OHO is a recruiting, training, marketing and management support organization for  hygienists seeking access to chronically underserved groups such as residents at senior centers and affordable housing communities as well as individuals on a one to one basis and other groups in various public or private institutional settings.

The following highlights a perfect storm of events that without OHO will lead to catastrophic medical outcomes for patients and financial results for a healthcare industry desperately seeking lower cost alternatives to the current failed economic healthcare model.

• Report on Oral Health of Americans by Surgeon General (2000) alerts to a “silent epidemic of dental disease.”

• Dental public  health literature shows that  80% of tooth cavities are found in 20% of the population.  Same groups with little  access to care.

• CDC 2007 report shows the cavities are rising in the youngest children ages 2 -5 for the first time in 50 years.

• Dental hygiene schools/graduates far out number dentistry schools/graduates.

• Access to dental care will be acutely limited at a time when health care legislation will add millions to Medicaid roles.

• Combining teledentistry with an underutilized hygienist workforce in alternative practice model with dentists is the solution.

There is little doubt that most residents of our target market properties would enjoy substantially improved oral health and quality of life through regularly scheduled OHO days conducted by our team of dedicated oral hygienists and other dental professionals. OHO  handles all scheduling, logistics and billings to third parties or OHP/Medicaid. All we request is access to a population in desperate need of quality and compassionate dental care and a room or space to set up our mobile equipment.

We are a for profit entity, however, our passion is to serve the underserved and to significantly improve the quality of life of those under our care.

• Joseph F. Markunas, CEO4949 Meadows Rd. Suite 475 Lake Oswego, Or. 97035503-702-1113 Emailwww.oral-health-outreach.com

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2012 LEAD ON Participants Announced - top

 

Now in its second year, LEAD ON (Leadership – Excellence – Achievement and Development) is part of Oregon ON’s “Delivering Results, Developing Leaders”  — our nine month leadership program designed to take on some of the toughest challenges facing the affordable housing industry, and to provide participants with tools to put to immediate use to take them on and achieve results. For more on the graduating class of 2011, click here.

2012 LEAD ON will begin January 23-24, 2012 and conclude in October.  Fourteen LEAD ON participants from Oregon ON Voting and Affiliate Member organizations, local and state governments, and other housing industry organizations have been selected to participate – please join us in congratulating them!

2012 Participants

1. Ashley Blake, Northwest Housing Alternatives, Inc.
2. John Fisher, Community Frameworks
3. Laura Fritz, NeighborImpact
4. Barrett Ebright Karnes, REACH Community Development, Inc.
5. Kim McCarty, Portland Housing Bureau
6. Gail Monahan, Housing Development Center
7. Cyndi Natalello, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI)
8. Brooks Nelson, REACH Community Development, Inc.
9. Felicia Poe, Home Forward
10. Michelle Puggarana, Portland Housing Center
11. Laura Recko, REACH Community Development, Inc.
12. David Sheern, Portland Housing Bureau
13. Marsha Zimmerman, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
14. A participant from NeighborWorks Alaska, TBA.

This highly successful initiative is modeled after NeighborWorks America’s “Achieving Excellence” program at Harvard, using the challenge-based, performance-driven design of Doug Smith. Participants undertake solving a “Performance Challenge” (a tangible challenge that is affecting their organization right now) that will stretch them personally and professionally. Peer group support and one-on-one coaching sessions address the challenges that come with leadership and help participants achieve results.  At the end of nine months participants will clearly know what success looks like and be able to measure their accomplishments.

Some examples of past Performance Challenges:

• Substantially increase the portfolio occupancy rate to a sustained rate of 95%;
• Move a high mission program from “cash negative” to “cash positive”;
• Establish significant early wins against a new organization-wide business model that substantially broadens the historic mission to new lines of business;
• Increase shelter capacity by 20% and increase the number of participants exiting shelter to a stable, safe housing from 45% per year to 55% per year;
• Increase constructions projects managed by minority contractors to 25%.

This “Performance Challenge” approach has been used for nearly 250 leaders in the CDC world through Achieving Excellence and NeighborWorks America.

 

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Awards

 

 

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Human Solutions Wins National Audrey Nelson Award- top

Human Solutions has been selected for been selected for the NCDA Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award for the Rockwood Building.

The Audrey Nelson Award was established by the National Community Development Association (NCDA) in 1987 to “recognize exemplary uses of CDBG funds which address the needs of families, homes and neighborhoods.”

The awards will be presented at a luncheon on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.  The luncheon will take place during NCDA’s 2012 Winter Legislative & Policy Meeting – January 18 – 20, 2012.  The meeting will take place at The Washington Court Hotel, where the conference will be held.  To make your reservations, please call (202) 628-2100 or 1-800-321-3010.  Be sure to mention Reservation ID:  NCDA to receive the special rate of $179.

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Downtown Springfield Wins Awards - top

 

At the Oregon Main Street Conference Excellence in Downtown Revitalization awards celebration October 6th in Baker City, Downtown Springfield received the Excellence in Downtown Revitalization Award for the Armory Building Remodel for the Washburne Café and MotherShip Salon, and a Certificate of Appreciation for Landon Hoyt’s contributions to the Downtown Springfield Main Street program. Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) is a major force driving Springfield’s downtown revitalization. They say, “Thanks for everyone’s help with the effort to revitalize wonderful Downtown Springfield – your hard work is paying off!”

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Forbes Names Terri Ludwig Top Social Entrepreneur - top

 

Forbes magazine named Enterprise Community Partners President and CEO Terri Ludwig to its Impact 30 list of the world’s top social entrepreneurs – influential leaders helping to meet social and economic challenges. Ludwig’s distinguished 23-year career in banking and nonprofit leadership includes serving as president of the Merrill Lynch Community Development Company, and president and CEO of ACCION New York, the largest nonprofit micro-lender in the United States. Click here to read more.

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Member Events

 

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Bienestar Holiday Sale – Now- top

If you haven’t already, please consider supporting Bienestar and purchase your holiday poinsettias, wreaths, centerpieces, and mantel pieces from us! We have a wide assortment of beautiful, locally grown and produced poinsettias, wreaths, mantel pieces, and centerpieces.

• The Poinsettias come in a variety of colors including classic red, white, pink, peach and a speckled red/white.  They are available in two pot sizes: 6.5″ and 8.5″. The small plants are $15 and the large plants are $20.
• The Wreaths are 20″ (outer diameter) and consist of a fragrant mix of Noble Fir, berried Juniper, incense Cedar and pine cones. They are $20.
• Candy cane wreaths are 30″ in length and consist of an elegant mix of Oregon Noble Fir and berried Juniper with a cluster of pine cones and red berries. They are $25.
• Mantel Pieces are approximately 30″ long, consist of the same mix listed above and are an excellent accent piece for your mantel, table top or wall.  They are $25.
• The centerpieces are made by hand by Bienestar’s very own Promotores. They are oval shaped, consist of Noble Fir, Spruce and Holly and are adorned with a tapered candle in the middle and various ornaments. They are $25.

Orders of $100 or more can be delivered anywh

ere in the Hillsboro/Beaverton/Forest Grove area for free. All other orders may be picked up at our office located at 220 SE 12^th Ave., Suite A100, Hillsboro, OR 97123 or delivered for a small fee.

For more information contact:

• Aleksi Merilainen
• Development Coordinator
• Bienestar
• 503-693-2937 ext. 106
• via email

Happy Holidays and thank you for all that you do for Bienestar!

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JOIN Keys to Hope Campaign – Give by Dec 31 - top

 

Over 1,700 people sleep on the streets, in cars, and under the bridges of our city each night.  This includes an unprecendented number of families with children  - not couch surfing or staying in a shelter – but physically sleeping on the streets. Tonight there are three times as many families sleeping in the community’s family warming center than last year at this time.

To help meet the need of those men, women, and children who try and find a safe place to stay each night, JOIN needs your help.  A gift of any size makes an impact.  $50 pays for one apartment application fee, $100 covers the cost of one monthly bus pass, and $500 will pay one person’s move-in deposit.  A monthly gift provides us with consistent flexible funding throughout the year.

Make your gift before December 31, 2011 and you will be counted in our 1,000 Keys to Hope Campaign – an effort to build a solid foundation of 1,000 individual donors to take us into our 20th year of service.  Each donor will receive a key with the name of an individual who found housing with JOIN’s help – a symbol of the doors your dollars help to open.

• Make a gift through our website at www.joinpdx.com.
• Make a gift through the Willamette Week Give!Guide and receive great incentives.
• Set up a personal giving page that allows you to easily ask friends, family, and colleagues for their support

Thanks to the generosity of people like you, Kristin and her sons Javier (pictured with Kristin here) and Elijah (above) have a safe and stable place to call home.

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Mult County-City of Gresham Availability of Funds Workshop – Jan 4 - top

 

The City of Gresham & Multnomah County will hold an Application Workshop for sponsors seeking funds for potential housing and community development projects in 2012-2013.

The workshop will be held:

• January 4, 2012
• 10:00 a.m. – Noon
• Gresham City Hall – Council Chambers
• 1333 NW Eastman Parkway
• Gresham, OR

The City of Gresham will have federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds available; Multnomah County will have CDBG funds available.

The primary goals for the use of funds is to enhance viable communities, develop public facilities, assist with the rehabilitation and development of appropriate affordable housing, economic development, assist first-time homebuyers and provide limited funds for public services.

Workshop topics will include availability of funds, the application and selection process and application criteria.  Application packets, criteria and schedules will be available at the workshop.  Complete applications will be due at 4:30 p.m. on January 30, 2012 for funding available after July 1, 2012.

Location is wheel chair accessible.  Translation services & sign language interpretation are available with 48-hour notice.  For more information, please contact Carol Cade 503.988.6295 ext. 26598 with Multnomah County or Louise Dix at 503.618.2618 with the City of Gresham.

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Fair Housing Public Workshops – Jan 5 & Jan 9- top

The City of Beaverton and Washington County have partnered to create a new Fair Housing plan for our community. A workgroup made up of public and private sector representatives has analyzed housing data to identify impediments to fair housing choice in our community and created a list of actions to help address those impediments.

Now it’s your turn to weigh in.

Please join us for an opportunity to comment on the current progress of the plans before we create the final draft for comment.

• Thursday, January 5, 2012
• 7pm-9pm
• Beaverton City Library, Meeting Room B
• 12375 SW 5th, Beaverton, OR

• Monday, January 9, 2012
• 1 PM – 3 PM
• Washington County Conference Center, Room 112
• 102 SW Washington Street, Hillsboro, OR

 

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NP Evening Event with Patrick Bresette -  Jan 11 - top

 

Neighborhood Partnerships is excited to announce that on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 we’ll be holding an evening event with Patrick Bresette of the Public Works Project. NP has had the pleasure of working with Patrick Bresette for two and a half years now—we held our first public event together in November 2009. In January, we’ll give you a chance to hear some of Patrick’s latest research and our most recent project with him. Stay tuned for more details, but for now please save the date!

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REACH Up Close and Personal- Jan 5 and Feb 2- top

REACH is celebrating 30 years of providing quality, affordable housing in 2012.  Time and again we TELL you about the work REACH is doing in our community, but have you had an opportunity to SEE the impact up close?  Click here to get information about Life Within REACH, our personal tours that give a first-hand look at our buildings and more in-depth information about how REACH is working to provide high-quality, safe and stable homes for families and individuals.

This is a special invitation to join us at a tour so you can see what it’s all about.  Our next two scheduled tours are:

• Thursday, January 5, 2012 * 8-9 am @ Patton Park Apartments (5272 N Interstate Ave, Portland) or
• Thursday, February 2, 2012 * 8-9 am @ Station Place Tower (1020 NW 9^th Ave., Portland)

You can sign up to join us on our website.

Please keep in mind this is not a fundraising event – you will not be asked to make a contribution to REACH.  It’s an opportunity to learn more about REACH and community we serve.

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Innovative Changes Upcoming Financial Education – Febuary - top

Tax time is right around the corner so Innovative Change$ has seminars on preparing for that, as well as other financial literacy courses. Here is the schedule:

Tax Time 101: Be Prepared!

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012, 5:30-6:30pm, Lloyd Center Mall, 3rd Floor, Suite 2011

Please join Maggie Starr of CASH Oregon, Rebecca Flanegan, tax attorney and tax site manager and Talia Kahn-Kravis of IC$ for an hour packed full of information to get you ready to do taxes and ensure you are making informed choices when you are filing for and receiving your refund. Topics will include: An overview of taxes and the mechanics of filing your taxes, available tax credits, what documents you will need when filing, where to do your taxes for free or low cost and how to stay in control of your paycheck, refund and expenses throughout the year! 

Teaching Your Kids About Money

Tuesday, February 7th 2012, 6pm-7pm,  Lloyd Center Mall, Suite 2011

One of the best gifts you can give your children is teaching them the skills to manage money. Passing on good money management habits is a concrete way that you can set your children up for a successful future; even if you are living on a tight budget.  In this workshop we’ll discuss key ways to get your finances in order so you can serve as a model for your children. We will also cover activities and tips for teaching your kids about money and ways to save for all the extra expenses that come with having a kid (back to school, birthdays, college, etc.). It’s never too early to start learning and never too late to start teaching! Now’s the time to start your kids on a path to success!

This seminars are $5. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.

*These seminars are part of our ongoing monthly seminar series covering special topics of interest to our clients. For more information about our seminar visit our website here.

To Register: call or email Talia at (503)-249-5205/email.

Upcoming Financial Household Resiliency Workshops:

We will hold our winter round of FHR workshops every Wednesday from February 1st to February 22nd, 5:30-7:30pm:

• Wednesday, February 1st, 5:30-730pm: Making Ends Meet
• Wednesday, February 8th, 5:30-730pm:  Budgeting and Saving
• Wednesday, February 15th, 5:30-730pm: Hands-On Banking
• Wednesday, February 22nd, 5:30-730pm: Building, Repairing and Protecting Credit

Our classes and seminar will be held at our Lloyd Center office:

3rd Floor of the Lloyd Center Mall (near Nordstroms), 2011 Lloyd Center.

You can register online here or call or email Talia at (503)-249-5205/via email.

The classes and the seminar are open to everyone. The classes can be taken individually or as a series. They are $5 each and $15 for all four classes. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.

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Housing Partnership Workgroup – March 15 - top

 

Property Managers and Social Service Providers are invited to the next Housing Partnership Workgroup (HPW), convened by Northwest Pilot Project. The goal is to create partnerships between property management and social service staff which will benefit both affordable properties and low income applicants/tenants. The minutes from our previous meeting are here: HPWMinutes 11-17-11

The next HPW meeting will be on Thursday, March 15, 2012 from 3:00-5:00pm at First United Methodist Church, 1838 SW Jefferson, Fireside room. A meeting agenda will be sent out in early March. If you wish to be added to the distribution list, email Bobby Weinstock.

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Member News

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Hacienda Announces Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Network Partnership - top

 

December 14, Hacienda Community Development Corporation announced that it has partnered with Fannie Mae to become part of its Mortgage Help Network (MHN), providing Oregon homeowners with increased access to foreclosure prevention assistance. Through this partnership, distressed homeowners can achieve faster decisions based on their individual mortgage situation. On average, homeowners can expect a decision within 30-60 days with Hacienda CDC’s unique partnership with Fannie Mae. This is the first partnership of its kind in Oregon.

Hacienda CDC’s homeownership department currently provides free, quality education and counseling for home buyers and existing homeowners, as well as access to financial assistance options including down payment assistance and the Individual Development Account (IDA) matched savings program. Under the Fannie Mae partnership, homeowners facing obstacles in making their loan payments can work with Hacienda’s HUD-certified counselors to determine which workout option offered by Fannie Mae will work best for their situation.

“This is a rare and extraordinary opportunity for our clients,” says Hacienda CDC’s Executive Director Victor Merced. “Hacienda will assist clients at a more efficient rate through our partnership with Fannie Mae.  By preventing foreclosures we can help provide stability to families and communities.”

Hacienda develops affordable housing and builds thriving communities in support of working Latino families and others in Oregon by promoting healthy living and economic advancement.  For more information, visit www.haciendacdc.org

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Homeowners Get Extra Support from Wells Fargo, Hacienda - top

More first-time buyers and distressed homeowners in Portland will be able to access homeownership education and foreclosure prevention counseling, thanks to Hacienda Community Development Corporation and Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo has donated $36,700 to Hacienda to support its holistic programming for homeowners. The programming includes HUD-certified courses and personal counseling, down payment assistance options and matched savings programs.

“We have created a lasting partnership with Hacienda in order to benefit our community,” said Wells Fargo’s Megdy Khoury, who serves as treasurer of the Portland-based Hacienda group. “We feel we can accomplish more for Portland by working together with groups such as Hacienda than we could if we were each working on our own.”

Wells Fargo also awarded $7,500 in September to the homeownership program, contributing to the continual expansion and overall quality service that Hacienda’s HUD-certified counselors provide.

“Hacienda’s continuing partnership with Wells Fargo is fundamental to the success and growth of our programming,” said Victor Merced, executive director of Hacienda. “Our services are in high demand. We are thankful to receive the support necessary to provide them to our community.”

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IHI to Redevelop Family Housing in Albany  - top

 

On November 16, 2011 the Central Albany Revitalization Area (CARA) Advisory Board unanimously voted to award $1.45 Million of urban renewal funds for Innovative Housing’s redevelopment of the Woodland Square trailer park. The trailer park is located on a gateway parcel along Old Salem Road and has long been identified by neighbors and CARA as a blighted site in need of improvement. Innovative Housing is proposing to develop 54 new units of affordable housing for working individuals and families, including accessible flats and townhouse style family apartments.

In addition to replacing old and unsafe trailers with new apartment homes, IHI will restore the Periwinkle Creek canyon that runs along one edge of the property. IHI has also committed to spending 15% of total project costs on local contractors and suppliers, so that CARA’s investment directly benefits the local economy.

IHI’s development team includes Greenberry Construction as general contractor and Bill Ryals and Gary Hartill of ORANGEWALLStudios Architecture + Planning as architects for this exciting and catalytic new project.

With this substantial local funding commitment, IHI will now submit an application to Oregon Housing and Community Services for grants and federal low-income housing tax credits to complete development sources for this $10.6 Million project.

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Interview with Innovative Change$’ New Director, Nancy Yuill- top

Nancy Yuill is Innovative Change$‘ new Executive Director. We have had the pleasure of getting to know her throughout her first month at Innovative Changes, and wanted to give you the chance to get to know her too!

Nancy spent the past three years managing Peace Corps’ programming and training departments in Zambia. Before that, she was the Executive Director of Clackamas Community Land Trust, the founding Director of Trillium Artisans, and the advisor to a women’s savings and credit program in Uganda.  She has a Masters in Business Administration from Clarkson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from St. Michael’s College.  We are excited to have someone with such vast and pertinent international and local experience to add to our staff skill set and bring IC$ into the New Year! Keep reading for our interview with Nancy.

Nancy, what drew you to IC$?

I’ve always loved working with women to help them become more economically empowered. I’ve seen first-hand how impactful it can be for the women, and their families, when someone is given a chance to move ahead and take control of their finances. When I was thinking about what I wanted to do after my time in Zambia I knew my dream job would be working in the area of financial education and family economic empowerment.  I also knew not many organizations focused specifically on those programs.   I began searching for organizations in Portland doing this kind of work and was thrilled to find Innovative Changes. I signed up to receive IC$ newsletters and read them every month. When I saw that IC$ was hiring for a new Executive Director I jumped at the chance. This position very much matches my values and interests.

What has your first couple weeks been like?

Wonderful! I’m learning a lot. The staff and board have been very welcoming and it feels great to be here. Every day I am excited to learn something new, observe the great work we are currently doing, and to think about where we’re heading in the future.  I love reaching out to old friends in the non profit, public and private sector and reconnecting with them in my new role.

What do you see using from your past work at IC$?

We’re in an exciting growth mode right now so I am looking forward to using my experience building and growing organizations to our efforts here. I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers, and in my early career I spent some years working for a bank holding company.  That helped me develop a solid understanding of financial products.  My time in Uganda provided me with great experience working on microfinance programs for people of very low income.  Now I get to apply that knowledge and experience to our work here providing loan and savings products that fit our clients’ needs.  Also, I love to train, and I am eager to apply what I have learned from Peace Corps to enhance the quality of our curriculum and training delivery.

Continue reading >

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CCC’s New Old Town Recovery Center Opens- top

Congratulations to Central City Concern! Their new Old Town Recovery Center clinic opened Thursday, December 15th, at 33 NW Broadway.

The beautiful new building houses the Recovery Center (previously the 12th Avenue Recovery Center) that serves more than 600 mentally ill people yearly. Central City Concern assumed operations of the 12th Avenue Recovery Center in December 2008; the program was previously located at SW Stark and 12th Avenue.

Also as a result of the new building, the expanded space will allow Central City Concern’s adjoining Old Town Clinic to serve an additional 1,350 homeless and low-income people, bringing the estimated yearly total of patients to nearly 4,000. The new building will accommodate a grand total of more than 80,000 patient visits per year via the two programs. Central City Concern has operated the Old Town Clinic since 2001.

The 44,000-square-feet building features offices, exam rooms, counseling rooms, nursing stations, community areas and an interior atrium. It is expected to earn a LEED Gold Certification. SERA Architects designed the building and Walsh Construction was general contractor. The project was made possible by an initial $8.95 million investment federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Facility Investment Program (FIP) grant administered through Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). Additional funder is Wells Fargo Bank via bonds and new market tax credit equity financing. The project has generated approximately 300 jobs in the Portland economy.

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Habitat OR Welcomes New Affiliate Director Bethany Hansen - top

Bethany Hansen of Portland has been hired as the Affiliate Support Director of Habitat for Humanity of Oregon. This is a new position and Bethany is thrilled to be working with HFHO since she has worked or volunteered with Habitat for more than half of her life.

She was born and raised in Wisconsin but moved to the Chicago area to finish high school. She graduated from college with a B.A. in Education and Biology and taught biology in the public schools in St. Louis before going on to earn her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Wyoming.

Hansen has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years – since the age of 15 – when she worked on her first Habitat home putting up shingles. At that time she came down with an acute and life-long case of Habititis. Since that time, she has served on 3 Habitat boards and on a range of Habitat committees and worked as the Program Director for Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley in Salem.

Bethany lived in South Africa for the past five years with her husband, Andrew, where they lived in a town called Knysna which is east of Cape Town on the Indian Ocean. While there, she worked with Habitat for Humanity as a worksite volunteer and treasurer of her local affiliate in addition to working as a grant writer and program director for the local government. She has worked for a range of non-profit organizations such as United Way as a fundraiser, at the Teton Science School as an educator, and the YMCA as a teams and ropes course facilitator.

As Affiliate Support Director with Habitat for Humanity Oregon, her duties include creating networking and training opportunities to the affiliates, organizing the annual HFHO conference, conducting trainings, acting as a resource for affiliate related questions, promoting awareness of valuable affiliate resources, and visiting each of the Oregon affiliates to learn how HFHO can better serve them.

Bethany stated that she is excited to move into her new role as Affiliate Support Coordinator and looks forward to “working on a grassroots level assisting affiliates to work at their highest potential in order to reach Habitat’s ultimate goal of eliminating substandard housing. If I haven’t done so already, I look forward to touching base with you and figuring out a time when I can come to visit your affiliate!”

Habitat for Humanity of Oregon provides advocacy and support for 33 independent Habitat affiliate offices throughout Oregon. Together, Habitat in Oregon is building a new foundation for thousands of hardworking Oregon families and forever changing the landscape of our communities, one home at a time.

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HUD Awards $19.2M to Over 100 Homeless Programs in OR - top

Funding supports Obama Administration strategy to prevent and end homelessness

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Mary McBride today awarded $19,210,480 to renew funding to 112 programs serving the homeless in Oregon, up from $18,190,255 last year.

Oregon ON members who received funding include St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc., Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, Central City Concern, Multnomah County, Home Forward, Human Solutions, Inc., Northwest Pilot Project, ACCESS, NeighborImpact, Community Action Team, Inc., Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, Inc., United Community Action Network (UCAN), and the Housing Authority of Clackamas County.

The funding announced today will ensure these housing and service programs remain operating in 2012 and are a critical part of the Obama Administration’s strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness.  HUD is renewing funding through its Continuum of Care programs to existing local programs as quickly as possible to prevent any interruption in federal assistance and will award funds to new projects in early 2012.

Click here to read the press release and to see full list of grantees.

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NAYA Gala Most Successful Event to Date! - top

 

Mashie Konaway Nika Tillicum

Thank you to all of our friends and relations!

The Native American Youth and Family Center’s 8th annual gala celebration was an outstanding success! A sold out crowd of over 500 attendees and volunteers filled the Governor Hotel on the evening of November 11th. Thanks to all of the support from our sponsors and generous donors of the evening this was the Native American Youth and Family Center’s most successful year to date—raising over $235,000!

Our gala theme focused on A New Generation of Success for our community as we collectively strive toward a better future for our youth, families and elders. Community partners, local politicians, tribal leaders and some of our most loyal supporters in the corporate and philanthropic community came together to show their dedication to the Portland Native community.

The evening began with a blessing from NAYA Elder, Buzz Nelson and featured a traditional Native American meal, live and silent auctions and a special performance by internationally recognized Northwest Native Coastal artist and Culture-bearer David Boxley and his Git-Hoan dancers. We were fortunate to have the support of many noted politicans. Governor Kitzhaber and first lady Cylvia Hayes, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, Mayor Sam Adams and Commissioner Nick Fish were all in attendance and participated in the evening’s events.

Three of our community members—NAYA Elder Frank Alby, Portland Youth and Elder Council Coordinator Donita Sue Fry and NAYA Youth Jazmine Rodriguez—shared their personal stories of overcoming major obstacles and finding success through NAYA services and community support. The stories shared by our community members are stories we hear far too often, but we know that we are on our way to creating a future that our youth, families and elders envision.

Every year we set our goals high for the NAYA Family Center’s primary annual fundraising event, knowing that every dollar raised goes directly to program services that make a difference in our community. Although this year’s event was a tremendous success, our community needs continue to grow on a daily basis. Our dedication and commitment to our community is strong and our successes are building. We could not continue to meet the overwhelming needs of our youth, families and elders without your support. We are calling on all of our supporters and friends today to be a part of the success of our community.

Won’t you please show your support by making a financial donation today?

The NAYA Family Center cannot do all that it does without the support of generous individuals like yourself. Please take a moment to visit our website www.nayapdx.org and donate today!

 

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Las Posadas to Assist More than 700 Low-Income Children- top

More than 700 low-income children and their families are expected to participate in Catholic Charities/Caritas Housing El Programa Hispano Las Posadas Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The event begins at 6 p.m. at East Hill Church, located at 701 North Main Avenue in Gresham.

“Las Posadas” (Spanish for “inns”) is a traditional Latino celebration held in the days before Christmas in which children from the community dress as Mary, Joseph and shepherds as they sing songs and travel door to door asking for shelter, as a reenactment of the biblical story. After their repeated requests for a place to stay are turned down, the group is finally granted shelter and a “posadas” party ensues. As a gift, Catholic Charities El Programa Hispano will give each child a toy or piece of warm clothing, which were donated by members of the community and area businesses.

This year, Las Posadas will honor the life and dedication of Gloria Wiggins, El Programa Hispano’s division manager, who passed away on Dec. 1, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. “Gloria poured her heart into Las Posadas every year,” said Alison Dunfee, El Programa Hispano School Based Services Program Manager. “She would do whatever it takes – even pick up bicycles in the ice and snow – to make sure this event is special for the children. We dedicate this year’s Posada to Gloria and honor her legacy of tireless commitment to the Latino community.”

If you’re interested in covering this event, please call Catholic Charities Public Relations Coordinator Roz Ramberg at 503-816-6907.

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St. Joseph Shelter Rehabilitation is Moving Forward- top

Construction is anticipated to start in April 2012.  St. Joseph Shelter’ Bede Hall will provide 10 units of migrant farmworker housing in Mt. Angel, which was originally designed as a dormitory serving adult single-male migrant farmworkers . Bede Hall will be renovated to provide 10 apartment style units serving a variety of household types. The Shelter was awarded funding from Oregon Housing and Community Services Federal Home Loan Bank, and HUD.

St. Joseph Shelter is working on this project with CASA of Oregon (Development Consultant), Scott/ Edwards Architecture.

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Bienestar’s Newest Project, Juniper Gardens, is Underway - top

 

Construction will begin on Bienestar’s newest development, Juniper Gardens, in early January 2012. Juniper Gardens will provide 24 units of farmworker housing in Forest Grove, a community where agricultural employment is high and affordable housing is in demand. Through a national competitive process, Bienestar was awarded funding from USDA Rural Development, in addition to other funds from OHCS and the Washington County HOME program. USDA Rural Development is offering Rental Assistance to 100% of the units at Juniper Gardens, ensuring that rents remain affordable for tenants. Pre-Development funding was provided by Community Housing Fund and CASA of Oregon. The project will consist of town-home style buildings surrounding a landscaped courtyard, a community room with laundry facilities and space for resident services, and outdoor play areas with open space.

Bienestar is working on this project with CASA of Oregon (Development Consultant), Scott / Edwards Architecture, and LMC Construction. A second phase of this project is currently in the pre-development phase and will ultimately add 22 additional units of farmworker housing at this site.

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REACH Fabulous Holiday Party, LEAD ON Participants - top

REACH Community Development, Inc. had a fabulous resident holiday party on 12/9 at St. Andrew’s Church in Northeast Portland, with lots of great pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/114460492447180172051/REACHHolidayParty2011

 

The cuteness is unstoppable.

 

 

 

UNSTOPPABLE, I tell you!!

 

 

 

 

 

OMG. Cuteness.

 

 

 

 

REACH is also pleased to have had 3 staff selected to participate in Oregon ON’s LEAD ON Program; Laura Recko, Director of Resource Development; Brooks Nelson, new Facilities Manager; and Barrett Ebright Karnes, Community Builders Program Coordinator. They are looking forward to the challenge!

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Home Forward Launches New Website - top

 

Message from Home Forward Executive Director Steve Rudman, Dec. 7 2011:

I am very pleased to invite you to tour Home Forward’s new website (www.homeforward.org). Conceived as part of our new identity, we have redesigned the site from top to bottom. We wanted a website that was simpler and more intuitive for our visitors to navigate, a site that provided a broader range of information more clearly, and one that reflected our new identity as Home Forward. In short, a website that did a better job serving the different information needs of our residents, stakeholders, and our community.

We’ve added new sections and expanded others. If you are searching for one of our 6,000 apartments, you now can use the power of Google Maps to find a Home Forward apartment community that meets your needs. If you are a public housing resident or a participant in the Section 8 voucher program, we have created online handbooks that present useful program information in simple, easy-to-understand language.

It’s an understatement to say the site was ready for a makeover. Our prior website – the agency’s first – had been running for more than ten years, without any improvements since 2003. I think you will agree it was time for a change, and I hope you like the result.

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NSP 3 Homebuyer: Home for the Holidays - top

 

Just in time for the holidays, the Schmidt family will be celebrating Christmas in their own home.  During their search for a home to rent, the Schmidt’s kept running across homes for sale at outstanding deals.  They quickly realized that purchasing a home would be more affordable than renting, so they contacted a local Realtor who informed them about the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 (NSP 3).  The NSP program is nothing new to Central Oregon agencies which have received NSP 1, NSP 2, and now NSP 3 awards by way of Oregon Housing and Community Services who administers the funds for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The initial allocation was granted under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, which was followed by an additional allocation under the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and now the third appropriation of funds under the Dodd-Frank Act – all part of the federal stimulus package.

The City of Redmond and The City of La Pine teamed up with Housing Works to administer $1.5 million of NSP3 funds to be used for the acquisition of foreclosed properties and for down payment assistance for qualified buyers.  Just last month, the program assisted in the purchase of a multi-family development in Redmond; a newer sub-division of townhomes known as Fairhaven Vista that had fallen into foreclosure.  The units provide affordable 2- and 3-bedroom rentals to households of lower income.

“NSP has proven to be a viable means for recession stricken communities to curb plummeting real estate values and take back foreclosed homes in once vibrant neighborhoods,” said Cyndy Cook, Executive Director of Housing Works.

Kelly Fisher, Program Manager of Housing Works has been involved in administering NSP funds from the beginning.  With NSP 1 funds, Housing Works was able to purchase five bank owned homes, make needed repairs, and introduce energy efficient upgrades throughout.  The homes were sold to qualifying households of lower income.  “It is wonderful to see how this program is changing lives and providing stability to hard working families in our community,” Fisher said.

The Schmidts share Fisher’s enthusiasm for the program, and, can attest to the ease of the home buying process.  When asked about how the program worked for them, Mrs. Schmidt said, “Everyone was extremely helpful in walking us through every step of the way.  Using the NSP program has allowed us to afford a home that fits our family, that we feel safe in, and that is located within our son’s school boundaries.” When asked what was most exciting about being in their first home, Mrs. Schmidt replied, “Pretty much everything!  It still feels like a dream.  Every little thing about our new home is a gift from God.”  Mrs. Schmidt continued, “I am so excited to paint and decorate the interior.  But mostly we are excited and grateful to be in a home that we can call our own, knowing we won’t be moving for a long, long time.”

For information on how to qualify for NSP down payment assistance and other Housing Works homeownership programs, please contact Kelly Fisher at 541-923-1018.

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PCRI Kids Say, “Thanks for Our New Bikes, Res Services!- top

Photos are by PCRI volunteer Izzy Ventura.

Having a bike is special for 6-year-old Ameia Vaughn.  “I feel great when I ride,” she said.

Ameia (pictured left) was one of many Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI) youth who received a bicycle with help from Resident Services Coordinator Lisa Williams.  PCRI residents with children ages 3-8 were personally contacted by Williams who helped them register for Community Cycling Center’s 16^th Annual Holiday Bike Drive, held on December 11.

“You went out of your way to make this holiday season special for us,” said Courtney Roser, whose two children Veda and Cadence (Cadence pictured below) grinned as they took their bikes for a spin around the bike rodeo safety course.

Before riding around the bike rodeo, the youth got to pick their new ride from a dizzying selection of bikes.  Cadence was particularly excited to choose:  “It’s pretty and fun,” she said.

This year, the Bike Drive provided over 465 bicycles, helmets and safety trainings to youth from partner agencies like PCRI.  In addition to pre-registering the youth for their bicycles, Williams and PCRI staff member Travis Phillips joined the families at the event to ensure everything went smoothly.

Judging by the smiles on the kids’ faces, everything went very smoothly.

“I like to ride,” said Dominic Weatheroy matter-of-factly before pedaling around the safety course.

His sister Iserael (pictured left) was just as excited to ride, but had some other priorities too.  “It’s pretty with lots of colors and flowers,” she said, posing next to her pink, purple and blue bike.

To express our gratitude for organizing the event and providing the bikes, helmets and training, Williams and the new cyclists signed a giant thank you card.  Williams delivered the card to the center a few days after the event and reflected on the difference made by her effort.

“The economy has put families in financial hardships,” she said.  Connecting families to events like the Bike Drive “can make all the difference to a family.”

 

 

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John Epstein Promoted to Wells  Fargo Executive Vice Prez- top

Wells Fargo has promoted John Epstein of Portland to executive vice president. He was previously a senior vice president.

Epstein manages 43 team members who provide financing for multi-family affordable housing construction projects across the nation. He oversees loan teams in Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Fort Worth, New York City, Atlanta and Philadelphia. In 2011 the team provided about $1 billion in financing for affordable housing.

 

Epstein started his financial services career in 1988 at First Interstate Bancorp in Houston as a Real Estate workout relationship manager. He later transferred to Oregon to work in a similar position and then joined Wells Fargo’s Community Lending & Investment group in 1995. He was promoted to senior vice president in 2002.

Epstein chairs the Council for Oregon Housing & Community Services. He also volunteers on the boards of Network for Oregon Affordable Housing, California Community Reinvestment Corp., and Temple Beth Israel in Portland.

Epstein earned his bachelor of arts degree in International Affairs from the University of Colorado and his MBA degree in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

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New Website for Metro Affordable Housing - top

 

Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation has a new and improved website up! Check it out: www.metroaffordablehousing.org

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ROSE Opens Bellrose Station- top

ROSE Community Development is able to bring residents of Lents a beautiful present for the end of the year: Bellrose Station, named for the streetcar line that ran on what is now the Springwater Corridor, is a 40 unit affordable housing community located in the Lents Town Center Urban Renewal Area. The transit-oriented development offers the benefit of being two blocks from the Flavel Station on the new Green light light rail, the #19-Woodstock high frequency bus line, and the Springwater Corridor.

Bellrose Station will be home to families between 30-60% of Median Family Income and will remain affordable for at least 60 years. The two and three-bedroom units will serve primarily families with children, which serves the city’s goal to maintain enrollment in the Portland Public Schools. Upgrades to the buildings exceed existing requirements for sustainability. Improvements have been made to vastly improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality and comfort. Having been a blighted property before, ROSE CDC is proud to present the new rehabilitation. One of the highlights of the rehabilitation is a newly constructed community room and space for a community garden in what was previously an outdoor pool.

This project was made possible by funding from One PacificCoast Bank, Portland Housing Bureau, Energy Trust of Oregon, and Oregon Housing & Community Services. Thank you to the construction teams of Seabold Construction Co. and students from Portland Youth Builders.

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Portland Mercado Project Makes Giant Leap in Forming Co-op- top

December 7, Hacienda Community Development Corporation announced a new collaboration with Neighborhood Partnerships to provide a means for Portland-area Latinos to buy shares in a small business cooperative that will operate Portland’s first Latino market. Neighborhood Partnerships is providing $125,000 to fund Individual Development Accounts (IDA) to match business and shareowners’ savings in support of the project. With savers’ matching funds, the total amount available to the Mercado for this project will be almost $160,000.

Following the model of a successful market in Minneapolis, the current Mercado board, made up of local Latino entrepreneurs, supports the idea of a creating a cooperative legal structure. Hacienda, with the support of fiduciary organization CASA of Oregon, will use IDAs to provide purchasing power to these entrepreneurs, many of whom do not have the initial capital to make large purchases on their own. By providing capital for the Mercado’s start-up, Latino entrepreneurs will be able to have a hand in accessing new markets and building assets for their families and the Latino population as a whole.

“The Mercado project is truly a community effort,” says Victor Merced, executive director at Hacienda. “Not only are we seeing the cooperation of three influential community organizations, but also a community of Latino business owners. This market will be an asset to the Latino population of Portland, by the Latino population of Portland. Thank you to Neighborhood Partnerships for your investment in Hacienda and the Mercado.”

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Three Generous Awards by Wells Fargo- top

Wells Fargo Awards Catholic Community Services, OSU, Salvation Army

Wells Fargo has donated $3,000 to the nonprofit Catholic Community Services of Lane County (CCSLC) in Springfield to help fund services to low-income residents here.

“We help anyone who is struggling to meet their basic needs, including food and shelter,” said Tom Mulhern, executive director for CCSLC. “We help lift people out of poverty, including those who have nowhere else to turn. Wells Fargo has been a long time supporter of ours and we appreciate its help.”

One in three Lane County residents need help putting food on their tables, Mulhern said. Founded in 1952, the agency operates two centers (Eugene and Springfield) that provide access to housing, energy, counseling and other assistance. The group’s target populations include homeless families, low-income families struggling to provide a safe and stable environment for their children, and young fathers who want to become better parents and providers.

Each Community Service Center provides food to 1,000 families each month, making CCSLC the single largest distributor of emergency food to the public in Lane County. The CCS shelters also provide nine living units for families on an emergency basis for up to 60 days.

Wells Fargo Donates $10,000 for OSU-Cascades Scholarships

 

Wells Fargo has also donated $10,000 to the relatively new Energy Engineering Management (EEM) B.S. degree program at Oregon State University-Cascades in Bend. The university will use the funds to provide scholarships to students from low- and moderate-income families, starting in January 2012. This is the largest scholarship donation the EEM program has ever received.

Photo caption: Wells Fargo officers present a $10,000 donation to Oregon State-Cascades’ Dr. Robin Feuerbacher (third from left) and Julie Hotchkiss (fourth from right). The Wells Fargo officers are, left to right: Jesse Stark, Doug Houser, Kevin Freihoefer, Kathy Martens and Coby Horton. The university will use the funds for scholarships to its Energy Engineering Management (EEM) B.S. degree program in Bend.

The EEM degree program teaches sustainable energy engineering methods and practices that can be applied in a wide variety of functions, ranging from manufacturing to personal use. It provides students with the knowledge necessary to understand and make appropriate decisions about the design, construction, operation and maintenance of energy systems.

The university created the program in October 2010 and offers it only at the Bend campus. The program has grown from four to 24 students, most of who are from Central Oregon.

“Support from our community partners such as Wells Fargo will help low-income students participate in making EEM a signature program at OSU-Cascades,” said Dr. Robin Feuerbacher, EEM’s program lead. “This will help us not only offer an engineering degree locally for Central Oregon students, but also attract national recognition to our school.”

Students from Pennsylvania, New York, Washington and California have heard about the program and many of them are planning to enroll, said Feuerbacher.

“Education is a primary focus area of our corporate giving at Wells Fargo,” said Kevin Freihoefer, a senior financial advisor with Wells Fargo in Bend. “We also look for opportunities to partner and collaborate in community growth and development while being good environmental stewards. OSU-Cascades is definitely one of our community’s growth engines in Central Oregon.”

$15,000 Gift will Feed Thousands at Salvation Army this Holiday Season

Dec. 14, 2011- In a show of continued support, Wells Fargo has donated $15,000 to The Salvation Army to help provide food for thousands of local low-income residents in need this holiday season.

The gift will be distributed equally among the four Salvation Army Corps in the Portland metro area to help stock their food pantries this month. The Salvation Army plans to distribute 4,450 food boxes to families in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties this month.

“This generous gift could not come at a more perfect time. Donations are down and we are looking for additional support to guarantee that every person who comes to a food pantry receives a full box of food,” said Major Don Gilger, Portland Metro Coordinator for The Salvation Army.

Wells Fargo team members frequently help out at the Salvation Army’s events and facilities, serving and distributing food, teaching financial education classes, and collecting donations for the nonprofit organization.

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“Kill A Watt” Devices Allow Residents to Check Home Energy Use - top

 

Library patrons have traditionally checked out books to increase their knowledge, but now they also can borrow metering devices from Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (FVRL) libraries to decrease their electrical bills.

Wells Fargo has donated 26 “Kill A Watt” handheld electricity-metering devices to the library district. The easy-to-use devices are now available for check-out to FVRL cardholders, just in time for holiday lighting displays and electricity-using gifts.

Kill A Watt devices monitor the energy usage of household appliances, devices and electronics. They automatically calculate how much money or energy is being spent on an hourly, daily, monthly or yearly basis. By finding out how much energy is being used and making energy-saving adjustments, homeowners can potentially reduce their electric bills.

>Wells Fargo Green Team reps with Fort Vancouver Regional Library staff and foundation members

Wells Fargo donated the 26 devices to FVRL based on the success of a similar program at Multnomah County Library. One of the largest library districts in the state of Washington, FVRL serves more than 450,000 people across 4,200 square miles in Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties and parts of Cowlitz County.

“Wells Fargo incorporates environmental strategies and investments in our work with customers, communities and team members, and also in our operations. We have more than 50 ‘Green Teams,’ including one in Clark County, that serve as ambassadors through volunteer events and environmental campaigns,” said Vaughn Schmall, head of the local Green Team that initiated the donation.

Kill A Watt devices can be found in the library district’s online catalog at http://catalog.fvrl.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/x/0/0/49 by typing “Kill A Watt” as a title into the search box.  Kits may be placed on hold in the online catalog for pickup at any FVRL library.

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Progress on the Rich  Hotel from IHI - top

 

A New Take on the Rich

For the past year, Innovative Housing has been seeking a development opportunity that doesn’t require us to tap scarce affordable housing resources and we have found it! In October 2011 IHI acquired the historic Rich Building in Old Town, Portland. IHI is investing $800,000 of its own capital and using conventional construction and permanent financing to redevelop this property into 34 studio apartments and four revitalized commercial storefronts. Doing this project without any public funds gives us maximum flexibility in design and use, significantly reducing development costs and preserving city and state resources for other affordable developments.

The Rich was originally built in 1905 as a railroad hotel and has housed many people over the decades. Unfortunately, it has been vacant for the past several years and has fallen into a state of disrepair. IHI’s plans to polish this diamond in the rough include retaining as much original material as possible, refinishing fir floors, repairing and retaining original wood windows, and reusing historic unit doors. The building currently contains 42 single room occupancy (SRO) units, which are rooms without kitchens or bathrooms. IHI will combine SROs to create larger, studio apartments that will each have a kitchen and bathroom. Contemporary cabinetry, lighting, and paint will help blend an edgy modern aesthetic with cool historic elements. Staying true to our name, Innovative Housing is going to punch a second story light well through to the ground floor to create an interior courtyard. This will provide outdoor space for residents, access to eight new ground floor residential units, and outside dining for a new restaurant that will anchor the commercial space.

The Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood is home to many low income people and adjacent downtown districts house many high income households. But downtown Portland lacks housing for people who find themselves in between. The Rich will help fill this gap by providing workforce housing for people who work downtown and want to live close to their jobs, those who want to live in an urban environment but can’t afford the Pearl, and students at the newly developed Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, which is being renovated just one block away. Because IHI is a mission driven organization, rents will be affordable but we won’t have to burden residents with annual income certifications and other paperwork that is typically required at affordable properties.

While we work with architects, engineers, and contractors to finalize plans and secure building permits, The Rich is being used as a filming location for Grimm, a new series on NBC. Check out Episode 10 for a spooky inside look at The Rich and read more about IHI’s newest housing project at our website http://www.innovativehousinginc.com/housing/therich.html.

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Member Media Coverage

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Glisan Commons Project Moves through Design Review - top

 

By Angela Webber, DJC Oregon, December 5, 2011

At the city Design Commission this week, Holst Architects architect Dave Otte presented an update on the Glisan Commons project, a mixed-use project that is going into the Gateway neighborhood at Northeast 99th Avenue and Glisan Street. The project will include office space, apartments and parking in two buildings, and it will be built in two phases. The project is a partnership between four organizations: Human Solutions, Inc., Ride Connection, REACH Community Development, Inc. and Housing Development Center . . Read more>>

After finding a volunteer opportunity for its carpenters with Habitat for Humanity , Portland-based Hammer & Hand also found a kindred spirit in the quest for greener, more efficient homes.  . Click here to read more.

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Rotary Club Coat Donations Warm Winter Blues - top

Rotary clubs donate 132 coats to children living in affordable-housing units

By Geoff Pursinger, The Times, Nov 24, 2011

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but nearly 150 local children won’t hate going out in the storm anymore thanks to a donation from the city’s two rotary clubs.

On Friday, Nov. 17, members of the two Tigard Rotary clubs, the Tigard Noon Rotary and the Tigard Breakfast Rotary, handed out 132 winter coats to children at Greenburg Oaks apartments in Tigard and Olsen Woods apartments in Metzger, two low-income apartment complexes run by Community Partners for Affordable Housing.

It may not seem like much, but Noon Rotary club member Jay Gillbortson believes the coats will help the kids succeed in school and in life.  .. Click here to read more.

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PCRI Highligted in Skanner, Fine Homebuilding, EcoHome Mag!- top

The Skanner highlighted the PCRI/MHAC Homeownership Retention program and shared a great story of seniors for whom PCRI staff member Shalonda Menefee was able to make a difference.

http://theskanner.com/article/Free-Homeownership-Retention-Program-Helps-Seniors-Stay-in-Homes-2011-12-08

The current issue of Fine Homebuilding showcases the homes PCRI developed last year for affordable homeownership opportunities. While the hardcopy magazine has the full story, there are brief highlights online:

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/design/articles/building-better-affordable-homes.aspx?ac=ts&ra=fp

And … EcoHome Magazine also showcased our new homes in an on-line feature of green affordable housing (with a captivating quote by yours truly!). It also contains a nice shout-out to the DPAL assistance provided by PHB:

http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/news/2011/12-december/five-green-affordable-housing-projects-portsmouth.aspx

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Community Vision Homeowner Featured in Gresham Outlook - top

 

On December 7, 2011 Community Vision homeowner Jim Staley was featured in the Gresham Outlook. Community Vision thanks Elaine Fultz at the City of Gresham, Ralph Austin at HomeStreet Bank, Katie Ullrich & Steve Whitson at Proud Ground, Geoffrey Pohl of Pohl Real Estate, Karen Staley and all the many others who played a role in getting Jim into this beautiful home.

http://www.theoutlookonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=132322055544061900

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Lots of Great Coverage for NHA’s Oakridge Park! - top

 

Long-awaited Affordable Housing Opening in Lake Oswego

By Angela Webber, DJC Oregon, December 6, 2011

After seven years of work, Northwest Housing Alternatives, Inc. this week is preparing to open Oakridge Park – the first new affordable housing in Lake Oswego in three decades. Development of the four-story building for low-income seniors wasn’t easy, NHA Executive Director Martha McLennan said. In fact, after a neighborhood association’s opposition brought the proposal before the ..Click here to read the story: .NHA Oakridge Park in DJC Dec 6

Doors Open for Lake Oswego’s Newest Senior Affordable Housing ComplexBy Everton Bailey Jr., The Oregonian OregonLive.com

Linda Thomson is looking forward to a fresh start.

The 67-year-old Tigard resident retired five years ago and has been looking for a place to move closer to the Lake Grove Presbyterian Church in Lake Oswego, where she worked for 10 years, that was also affordable under her fixed income.

She moves into one of the 45 new units at the Oakridge Park Apartments next week, but a grand opening event today in Lake Oswego was the first time she actually got to see what her one-bedroom unit would look like. So far, she doesn’t have many complaints.  .. Click here to read the story: Doors open for Lake Oswego – Oregonian

Click here to see pictures and read more Oakridge Park stories, including:

• Lake Oswego’s second affordable senior housing complex to celebrate grand opening Friday – The Oregonian
• ‘Life is big’ : Ray Maier is a man who made a difference – Lake Oswego Review
• Grand Opening Celebration: Northwest Housing Alternatives will host a grand opening – The Oregonian
• Overflow Crowd as Oakridge Park Opens in Lake Oswego – Oregon Housing Blog
• Things to do this weekend in Lake Oswego – The Oregonian

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The second phase of a 12-home Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East project in North Portland is nearing completion, and the new homes feature several green building initiatives that are new to the nonprofit’s construction efforts. Instead rough stairs covered with carpet, the six new homes built in the second phase feature all hard surface stairs in order to … Click here to read more.

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OCF gives $7.7M to Oregon Nonprofits – Habitat, NHA - top

 

• Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East received $15,000 to hire a new mortgage service coordinator.

• Northwest Housing Alternatives, Inc. received $15,000 for HomeBase, which works to prevent eviction and support people in need.

Click here to read the full story and see all recipients.

 

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Umpqua Bank has launched a commercial real estate division to provide developers and investors with construction, portfolio, and interim real-estate loans on income-producing properties.

As the Puget Sound Business Journal reports, the new venture will be based in Seattle and is designed to expand the real estate presence of Portland-based Umpqua throughout Washington, Oregon, California and northern Nevada.

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Portland Metro News

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New Affordable Health Clinics for Low-Income Families - top

from a press release from a new organization called Affordable Health Clinics that is opening in the Portland metro area.

was started by Rob Tilley, MD, MBA and his wife Cecilia because they were upset about the expensive state of healthcare in this country. A graduate of Columbia University Medical School and an ex-emergency department physician Dr Tilley saw many patients who had forgone healthcare due to the cost, finally being forced to come to the ED because of advanced illness. It was clear to Dr Tilley that the system did not work for a sizable proportion of Americans. After being a VP for a nationwide company that provided healthcare to the corrections industry the primary driver of healthcare costs was complexity.

In the words of Dr Tilley, “From a business perspective the model of healthcare in our country is crazy. We all know it is out of control so we have elected to opt out.”

The average cost per physician for collection of insurance reimbursement exceeds $82,000 (healthaffairs.org). In the next fifteen years the US will experience a shortage of between 90,000 to 200,000 physicians (Will the Last Physician in America Please Turn Off the Lights? Merritt Hawkins and Miller). Another recent study found that medical bills are the root cause of more than 60% of personal bankruptcies and furthermore that 3/4 of these bankruptcies are for unpaid bills accrued by people who have insurance (Business Insider 11/30-12/1-2011). By any measure the system is broken.

Aptly named, Affordable Health Clinics, in Tigard, has addressed the problem of the costs of complexity by declining to deal with insurance companies. A $67 office visit is feasible because of the decrease in overhead. They have also negotiated medicare rates on x-ray and lab services. Thus the Tilleys are able to offer healthcare for approximately one third to one half the prices charged to uninsured patients who are in dire need of care.

“Our goal is to change the paradigm of how medicine is funded,” states Dr Tilley. “We asked ourselves, ʻWhy couldnʼt we just open our doors and see patients?ʼ It turns out that we can.”

He continued, “We all need to pitch in a little more and not worry about chasing every dollar. People are suffering.”

The Tilleys have even put their home on the market to lower their own personal expenses. They believe that if we all work together we can each make our communities a kinder, gentler place for everyone and they need your help to get the word to the people who are most in need of healthcare.

If your affordable housing project would like to learn about partnering with Affordable Health Clinics, please contact Cecilia Tilley, contact information below.

• Affordable Health Clinics12720 SW Pacific Hwy, Tigard 97223503-974-6170 Emailwww.affordablehealthclinics.com

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Approximately 14 years after construction began for the first phase of The Yards at Union Station, the final phase is imminent. A once highly polluted seven-acre brownfield now is an Old Town residential development, and 80 more affordable housing units are scheduled to open in March 2013.

The last phase of The Yards was supposed to be completed in the early 2000s, but it was delayed because of market reasons, according to developer GSL Properties. But Portland City Council, the Portland Housing Bureau and the Portland Development Commission recently approved loans and gap financing for the project.

Click here to read more.

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Cedar Sinai Park Disability Housing Awarded $2M - top

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today competitively awarded $2,035,800 to Cedar Sinai Park in Portland to produce accessible housing, provide rental assistance, and facilitate supportive services for very low-income persons with disabilities.

Cedar Sinai Park, also known as Robison Jewish Home, will use its grant – $1,878,600 in capital advance funds and $157,200 in rent subsidies – to construct and operate the 2-story, 14-bedroom Kehillah Housing on its Portland campus to serve the developmentally-disabled. The grant to Cedar Sinai Park was among 92 grants HUD awarded today under the Section 811, Supportive Housing for Very Low-Income Persons with Disabilities program. Every $1 million in Section 811 awards is expected to generate up to 20 construction and service sector jobs and this award is expected to generate up to 40 jobs.

“The Obama Administration is committed to helping our senior citizens and persons with disabilities find a decent, affordable place to live that is close to needed healthcare services and transportation,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Recent bipartisan changes to these two supportive housing programs will allow us to better serve some of our more vulnerable populations who would otherwise be struggling to find a safe and decent home of their own” . . Click here to read more.

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Number of Homeless Portland Families up 29% - top

 

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SEATTLE, Dec 08, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE)

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (Seattle Bank) has named West Coast Bank, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, as the recipient of its 2011 Community Spirit Award. The award recognizes a member of the Seattle Bank cooperative that exemplifies the spirit of community partnership in creating affordable housing and economic development opportunities in their communities.

West Coast Bank received the award based on its use of the Seattle Bank’s affordable housing and community investment programs. Through its membership in the Seattle Bank, West Coast Bank has provided more than $24 million dollars in grants and reduced-rate loans to create 380 units of affordable housing, to stimulate job growth, and to improve the communities it serves across Oregon and Southern Washington.

West Coast Bank received its award at a Community Spirit Luncheon, hosted by the Seattle Bank, on December 8, in Salem, Oregon. In addition to the award ceremony, the luncheon program featured presentations by: Tom Potiowsky, professor of economics at Portland State University; Margaret Van Vliet, director of Oregon Housing and Community Services; Mark Davis, director of systems and development for the Housing Authority of Yamhill County; and David Schaffert, president and CEO of the Thurston County Chamber. Invitees included Oregon state and local civic and community leaders and members of the Seattle Bank cooperative.

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Statewide News

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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (Seattle Bank) Dec. 15 announced the award of $2.3 million of 2011 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) funds to support nine affordable housing projects in four Western states. The AHP funding will help to provide 189 units of housing for very low, low-, and moderate-income households in Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, including households with special needs, homeless individuals and families, veterans, and farmworkers.

The Seattle Bank is a wholesale financial cooperative, and it distributes AHP funding through its community financial institution members, who work with for-profit and nonprofit organizations in their communities to address local housing needs. In 2011, four of the nine projects receiving AHP awards will be located in rural areas, and five will be located in urban areas. One of the projects awarded will support homeownership, and eight will provide affordable rental housing. Seven of the projects will reserve at least 20 percent of their units for households with special needs, six projects will serve the homeless, two projects will provide housing to veterans, one will serve Native peoples, and one will provide housing to farmworkers.

Since the program’s inception in 1990, the Seattle Bank’s AHP has contributed $142.8 million to help finance nearly 27,200 affordable rental and owner-occupied homes for families or individuals earning 80 percent or less of their area’s median income. AHP awards are allocated through a competitive application process and may be used to fund the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of new or existing housing structures, to reduce mortgage principal or interest rates on loans, or to provide downpayment and closing cost assistance.

In addition to the AHP, the Seattle Bank supports affordable housing and community and economic development projects through its Home$tart Program, Community Investment Program (CIP), and Economic Development Fund (EDF). Since its inception in 1995, the Home$tart Program has disbursed $42.2 million of downpayment assistance to more than 8,500 first-time homebuyers, and since their inception in 1990, the CIP and EDF have provided $3.6 billion of reduced-rate loans supporting over 49,000 units of affordable housing and nearly 360 economic development projects.

Additional information regarding the Seattle Bank’s 2011 AHP awards and community investment programs is available on the Seattle Bank’s website at www.fhlbsea.com.

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2012 Consolidated Funding Cycle Approaches - top

 

from OHCS Director’s Message – December 16, 2011

It’s just around the corner: the 2012 Consolidated Funding Cycle applications will be online on January 9, 2012, and applications close March 30.

As with our preservation RFA, we expect the applications in the Consolidated Funding Cycle to exceed available resources. Affordable housing, so reliant on public resources, cannot escape the realities of the current slow economy. Congress, under pressure to bring expenditures down, reduced the HOME program by more than a third for the 2012 federal fiscal year. As a result, we lose resources for affordable housing development and tenant-based rental assistance.

We are very fortunate to have a dedicated source of revenue – the Document Recording Fee – to support multifamily housing, homeownership and our homelessness prevention and intervention efforts.

However, the decline in the housing market has dramatically affected recording fee revenue. We’re currently projecting that the fee will generate $20 million for the current biennium … slightly more than half of what we thought at the time we proposed our budget.

The resource problem has at least two dimensions – a short-term one and a long-term one. In the shortterm, proposed projects for the 2012 cycle will face a great deal of competition. In the long-term, it’s clear that we – lenders, community organizations, private sector partners and state and local government agencies – need to revisit and refine our industry so we can continue to respond to Oregonians’ need for safe, stable, quality housing.

During the coming months, you’ll hear a lot more from the department about how we can thoughtfully move into the future. I look forward to working with you to find solutions.

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Funding and Award Opportunities

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Nominations for Community Reinvestment Awards – Jan 6 - top

 

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition will make several awards, including one for a rural nonprofit. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012ncrcawards. Contact Karen Taylor, NCRC, ktaylor@ncrc.org, 202-464-2716.

 

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Housing Counseling and Outreach Services Supported – Jan 12 - top

The Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Counseling Program provides support for the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. Proposed activities will be aligned with the following primary objectives: improving financial literacy, expanding homeownership opportunities, improving access to affordable housing, and preserving homeownership. The application deadline is January 12, 2012.

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HUD Offers Housing Counseling Funds – Jan 12 - top

 

HUD has opened the competition for more than $40 million that will enable local agencies to provide a broad range of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies and state housing finance agencies to help families find and preserve housing.  Services provided will include how to avoid foreclosure, how to avoid mortgage scams, how to purchase or rent a home, how to improve credit scores, and how to qualify for a reverse mortgage.  Applications are due January 12, 2012 and HUD expects to award some 500 grants. “We fought hard to persuade Congress to restore funding for housing counseling in HUD’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget,” said HUD Secretary Donovan, “and I’m pleased that they did so. We will now work to make these important resources available to help families as quickly as possible.”  For more information, click here.

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Nominate Financial Institutions Helping Small Business – Jan 13 - top

 

Here is an opportunity to recognize those financial institutions that are working to strengthen small businesses.  If you know of or work with such a financial institution(s), please submit a nomination to recognize them at the 2012 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference.

• The Community Reinvestment Awards at the
• 2012 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference
• March 25-28, 2012
• Seattle, Washington

The 2012 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference — the premier training and networking event for community development professionals, including CRA officers, community development lenders and investors, as well as representatives of CDFIs, foundations, and nonprofits — will be held March 25-28, 2012 in Seattle, Washington.  Sponsored by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, the conference will feature sessions on CRA compliance and innovative community development strategies, and will again host the National Community Development Lending School.

The conference will also feature an awards program, this year themed around small business support.  We welcome you to submit your nomination for the 2012 Community Reinvestment Awards: Strengthening Small Businesses for Economic Recovery.

The 2012 Community Reinvestment Awards will honor financial institutions covered by the CRA that are working to strengthen small businesses. Recipients of the award will be recognized at a special awards luncheon at the 2012 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference. Winning financial institutions will receive three free conference registrations which they can use for their staff or to sponsor representatives from partnering nonprofits. All nominations must be submitted by 5 P.M. January 13, 2012.

To download the call for nominations and submit nominations online, please visit www.frbsf.org/community/seattle2012

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Children’s Theatre Projects Supported – Jan 13- top

The Children’s Theatre Foundation of America’s focus is on theatre for children and youth, the utilization of drama/theatre in education for children grades K-12, and development opportunities for theatre artists working in the area of children’s theatre in the United States. The Foundation’s Aurand Harris Children’s Theatre Grants Program supports small and mid-sized nonprofit theatres for premieres of promising new plays for children, the establishment of special production projects for children’s theatre, and performance expenses of U.S. children’s theatres to participate in national or international festivals. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $3,000. The deadline for Request to Submit applications is January 13, 2012. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the application guidelines.

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Equity Programs for Women and Girls Funded – Jan 15- top

The American Association of University Women: Community Action Grants works to advance educational and professional opportunities for women in the United States. The AAUW Community Action Grants program provides funds to individuals, AAUW organizations, and local community-based nonprofit organizations throughout the country for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. Special consideration is given to projects focused on K-12 and community college girls’ and women’s achievements in science, technology, engineering, or math. One-year grants of up to $7,000 provide seed money for new projects; two-year grants of up to $10,000 provide start-up funds for longer-term programs that address the particular needs of the community and develop girls’ sense of efficacy through leadership or advocacy opportunities. The application deadline for both types of grants is January 15, 2012. Visit the AAUW website to submit an online application.

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Grants Encourage Youth in Environmental Stewardship – Jan 15- top

The Captain Planet Foundation supports educational programs that enable youth to understand and appreciate our world through hands-on projects to improve the environment. The Foundation is interested in funding innovative programs that inspire youth to participate in community service through environmental stewardship activities. An additional priority is to fund programs that encourage environment-based education in schools. All funded projects must involve young people ages 6-18 (elementary through high school). Nonprofit organizations and public schools are eligible to apply for grants of up to $2,500. Applications are reviewed three times per year; the first deadline for 2012 is January 15. Online application guidelines are available on the Foundation’s website.

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Section 202 Demonstration Pre-Development Grants- Jan 18 - top

 

Appropriated in FY10, these grants can be used by those with FY10 Section 202 awards to cover architectural and engineering work, site control, and other planning related expenses that are eligible for Section 202 funding. Deadline is January 18. Visit http://www.grants.gov or http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm. Contact Denise Taylor-Parker, HUD, 202-402-2892, denise.l.taylor-parker@hud.gov.

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CDFI Fund Accepting Applications – Jan 18- top

Flexible Financial Assistance awards and capacity building Technical Assistance awards are available to certified and certifiable CDFIs (apply by January 11) and to Native American certified and certifiable CDFIs (apply by January 18). Visit http://www.cdfifund.gov or http://www.grants.gov. Contact CDFI Fund staff, 202-622-6355, cdfihelp@cdfi.treas.gov.

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Small Grants for Urban Water Quality Restoration – Jan 23- top

The Environmental Protection Agency Urban Waters Small Grants Program provides support for activities designed to protect and restore America’s urban waterways. Proposed activities will address water quality issues in communities – such as those containing minority, low income, or indigenous populations – that have been adversely impacted by polluted urban waters, and involve these communities and others in performance of the given project, including the design, planning, and performance of activities that contribute to water quality restoration. The application deadline is January 23, 2012.

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Funds to Preserve, Maintain Native American Languages – Jan 31- top

The Department of Health and Human Services Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance Program provides support for projects that contribute to the social development and self-sufficiency of native communities through the preservation and maintenance of Native American languages. Priority will be given to activities that promote economic and social self-sufficiency for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native American Pacific Islanders from American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The application deadline is January 31, 2012.

 

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American Academy of Pediatrics Funds Child Health Care – Jan 31- top

The Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Program, a national initiative of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is designed to improve access to health care by supporting pediatricians and communities that are involved in efforts for children. The CATCH Implementation Funds program provides grants of up to $12,000 to pediatricians in the initial and/or pilot stage of developing and implementing a community-based child health initiative. The funding categories for the 2012 grant cycle include the following: medical home access, access to health services not otherwise available, connecting uninsured/underinsured populations with available programs, secondhand smoke exposure reduction, initiatives to address community barriers to immunizations, and Native American child health. The application deadline is January 31, 2012. Online application instructions are available on the American Academy of Pediatrics website.

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HUD Healthy Housing  Hazard Control Funding – Jan 31- top

The Department of Housing and Urban Development Healthy Homes Technical Studies Program provides support for investigations designed to advance the recognition and control of residential health and safety hazards and more closely examine the link between housing and health. Of particular interest are activities within the following topical areas: improving or assessing the efficacy of current residential integrated pest management methods; developing easily replicable, cost-effective methods for preventing and controlling excess moisture and mold in residential buildings; improving indoor air quality through cost-effective approaches; evaluating the effectiveness of residential health hazard reduction and outreach methods that educate at-risk families regarding the adoption of self-protective behaviors; conducting cost-benefit or cost-effectiveness studies on the health benefits of healthy homes interventions in high-risk populations; and demonstrating the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of incorporating injury prevention measures into residential programs. The application deadline is January 31, 2012.

 

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Library-Based Literacy Programs Recognized – Feb 6- top

The Better World Books/National Center for Family Literacy Libraries and Families Award recognizes innovative library-based literacy programs for families. Library programs throughout the country with a strong intergenerational approach to helping parents and children learn together are encouraged to apply. Programs that serve communities and families with high literacy and socioeconomic needs are of special interest. Both previously existing and new programs are eligible for the award. Three libraries will win a $10,000 grant and a trip to NCFL’s annual conference. The application deadline is February 6, 2012. Visit the NCFL website to submit an online application.

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Nominate an Advocate for NLIHC Resident Organizing Award – Feb 10 - top

 

NLIHC is soliciting nominations for its first Resident Organizing Award, and for its State and Local Organizing Award, to be presented at NLIHC’s Annual Housing Policy Conference in March 2012. Honorees must be NLIHC members. Is the organization you want to nominate not an NLIHC member? Ask them to join TODAY at www.nlihc.org/join.

These awards honor the work of NLIHC member organizations in their ability to organize at the state and local levels and highlight the importance of resident organizing in housing advocacy.

Nominations must be received by February 10, 2012. To read more about the awards, access the eligibility requirements and learn how to nominate, visit http://nlihc.org/template/page.cfm?id=286 or contact outreach@nlihc.org with “Awards” in the subject line.

 

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Muzak Heart & Soul Grants for Music Education – Feb 17- top

The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation: Music Matters Grant Program’s mission is to support music education. Through the Foundation’s Music Matters Grant Program, grants of up to $6,000 are provided to K-12 school music programs and independent music programs throughout the United States. Music education – vocal or instrumental – must be the key component of any music program requesting funds. Highest consideration is given to those programs in need of basic materials such as instruments and sheet music, programs serving economically disadvantaged students, programs involving innovative educational reform, and programs with established, collaborative partnerships with parent-teacher-student associations and other community groups. Public school programs serving a minimum of 50% low-income students as well as nonprofit organizations directly funding music education and serving students regardless of their ability to pay are eligible to apply. The application deadline is February 17, 2012. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the grant guidelines and application form.

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Petra Foundation Fellowships for Grassroots Leaders – Feb 20- top

The Petra Foundation seeks out and champions unsung leaders who are making distinctive contributions to the rights, autonomy, and dignity of millions who are marginalized in America. Each year grassroots leaders selected as Petra Fellows receive a no-strings personal financial award. In addition, the Foundation publicizes their innovative models for change, fosters their collaborations, and welcomes them to a national network of leaders who are working across the divides of age, ethnicity, class, and issue to build a more just society. Nominees should display a combination of activism and thought, force of character, independence of judgment, and clarity of expression. Nominations should be submitted by those who know the nominees and their work (without the knowledge of the nominees). The deadline for submitting nominations is February 20, 2012. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn more about the program and the nomination process.

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Public Welfare Foundation Supports Social Change – March 26- top

The Public Welfare Foundation supports efforts to ensure fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need nationwide. The Foundation looks for carefully defined points where funds can make a difference in bringing about systemic changes that can improve lives. The Foundation’s current funding priorities include the following issue areas: The Criminal Justice program supports organizations that are seeking to reduce incarceration rates of adult offenders in the U.S. The Juvenile Justice program focuses on organizations working to end the criminalization and over-incarceration of youth. The Workers’ Rights program supports organizations that promote policy and system reforms to improve the lives of low-wage working people, with a focus on securing their basic legal rights to safe, healthy, and fair conditions at work. Letters of inquiry should be submitted four to six weeks prior to proposals. The first proposal deadline of 2012 is March 26. Detailed guidelines for each of the grant programs are available on the Foundation’s website.

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Norman Foundation Supports Social Justice Efforts – Rolling- top

The Norman Foundation supports efforts throughout the United States that strengthen the ability of communities to determine their own economic, environmental, and social well-being, and that help people control those forces that affect their lives. These efforts may promote economic justice and development through community organizing, coalition building, and policy reform efforts; work to prevent the disposal of toxics in communities and to link environmental issues with economic and social justice; or connect community-based economic and environmental justice organizing to national and international reform efforts. Programs that promote systemic change and can serve as a model for other organizations and communities are encouraged. In addition, priority is given to organizations with annual budgets of under $1 million. Letters of inquiry are accepted throughout the year. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the guidelines and application instructions.

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Reports

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Rural Affordable Housing Issues Related to Prisoner Reentry - top

 

Rural Reentry: Housing Options and Obstacles for Ex-Offenders also reviews the regulations associated with housing formerly incarcerated persons, suggests resources, and makes recommendations. The report is free at http://www.ruralhome.org or $5.00 from Dan Stern, dan@ruralhome.org, 202-842-8600.

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Class Divide Growing Along Neighborhood Lines - top

 

A new study conducted by researchers associated with Stanford University and the US2010 Initiative finds fewer Americans living in middle income neighborhoods and more rigid segregation by income and class. Segregation by class is particularly prominent among racial minorities. Overall, the proportion of families living in middle income neighborhoods declined, from 65% in 1970 to just 44% by 2007. Segregation by family income rose since 2000 in 89% of metropolitan areas evaluated in the research study.

Researchers drew data on family income from the U.S. Census decennial census (1970-2000) and the American Community Survey (ACS) five-year data (2005-2009). These data were used to estimate income segregation in metropolitan areas with a population of at least 500,000. Within each metropolitan area, the researchers classified areas where median incomes were greater than 150% of median as affluent; areas where median incomes were less than 67% of the median were classified as poor. Income segregation was estimated based on income distribution at the neighborhood level compared to income distribution across the metropolitan area.

Since 1970, the proportion of families living in middle income census tracts has declined, with more families living in neighborhoods at either extreme. Between 1970 and 2007, the proportion of families living in affluent neighborhoods rose from 7% to 14%. Similarly, the proportion of families living in poor neighborhoods rose from 8% to 17%. On the whole, neighborhoods have become increasingly income stratified, with 31% of families living on the extreme ends of the income distribution by 2007.

In the 2000s, families on both extremes of the income spectrum have become increasingly isolated from middle income families. The isolation of the affluent (top 10% of families, by income) has become greater than even the isolation of the poor, a finding that has profound implications for the concentration of resources by neighborhood.

Among minority families, income segregation is pronounced; low income Black households are significantly more isolated from middle-class Black households, compared to the levels of segregation among White families. By 2007, income segregation among Black families was 60% greater than among White families. Researchers hypothesize that this may be in part due to the disproportionate effects of the subprime mortgage market, but further analysis is needed to explore these trends.

The report, Growth in the Residential Segregation of Families by Income, 1970-2009, is available at: http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/Data/Report/report111111.pdf

Metropolitan Areas with the Largest Change in the Proportion of Families Living in Poor and Affluent Neighborhoods* (1970-2007)

Rank                Metropolitan Area                                                       Change

 

1                      Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, MI                                                32.7%

2                      Fresno, CA                                                                  30.0

3                      Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield, FL        28.6

4                      Philadelphia, PA                                                         27.3

5                      New York-Wayne-White Plains, NY-NJ                   24.6

*Median incomes in poor neighborhoods are less than 67% of metropolitan median income.

Median incomes in affluent neighborhoods are greater than 150% of metropolitan median income.

Source: Reardon, Sean and Kendra Bischoff. (2011). Growth in the Residential Segregation of Families by Income, 1970-2009. Providence, Rhode Island: Brown University US2010 Project.  Retrieved from http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/Data/Report/report111111.pdf

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NLCHP Releases Report on Criminalization of Homelessness - top

 

The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP) released Criminalizing Crisis: The Criminalization of Homelessness in America on November 15. The report summarizes findings from a survey of 234 cities on their laws criminalizing homelessness by making illegal activities such as sitting, sleeping or storing personal belongings in public, even if there is no available shelter space or affordable housing.

The report provides examples of how local statutes impact people experiencing homelessness and also recommends policies for cities to address problems associated with homelessness. For example, the study cites Hennepin County, MN, which created a street outreach program “to connect homeless individuals with needed services [including housing] and divert them from involvement with the criminal justice system.”

According to findings cited in the report, more than 90% of cities responded that increased resources for affordable housing were necessary for them to effectively address homelessness in their communities. As such, one of the top recommendations made in the report was for communities and the federal government “to provide additional affordable housing, supportive housing, and other resources.”

“Unsheltered homeless people are often cited for performing necessary and life-sustaining activities in public places despite having no legal place to perform such activities. This criminalization creates barriers to employment, housing, and services that make it more difficult to move out of homelessness. By making sure there is adequate affordable housing, cities will decrease homelessness and the resulting criminalization of homeless persons,” say the NLCHP authors in the report.

NLCHP will host a webinar on the findings in the report on November 29 from 2 pm to 3 pm ET.

The report is available at http://www.nlchp.org/news.cfm?id=170.

Readers can register for the webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/208763562

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One Fun Thing

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Who Says Strategic Planners Have No Sense of Humor? - top

 

This comes from a group called Community Solutions Planning and Evaluation. If you have felt the pain of struggling to craft a strategic plan [not that Oregon ON would know ANYTHING about that], this might make you smile.

Knockin’ Around the Strategic Plan

(sung to the tune of Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree)

Knockin’ around the strategic plan

It’s a painful thing to do

Stuck in the boardroom all day long

It’s agony to sit through

Vision and mission, core values

“What’s the point?” I hear you say

Goals and objectives, strategies

No one reads it anyway

You can make it more worthwhile, if you listen, to me here

All day sessions are total folly, three short ones are way more jolly

How do we keep it relevant?

Is another challenge for sure

Make a one-pager with just key points

And you’ll find it will endure

Bring it to each sta-ff meeting, review it, faithfully

Voices singing to the funder, look at us, aren’t we a wonder?

Then there’s accountability

For many it’s an issue

So color-code dates and who does what

And you’ll see more follow-through

You will get a special kind of feeling, when you see

Things accomplished, now you’re proud, celebrate and shout out loud!

Knockin’ around the strategic plan

have a happy planning day

Everyone thinking merrily

in a NEW old-fashioned way!

For a peek at some of their other Christmas poems and carols from previous years, click on our Resources page here.

 

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